Treatment for alcohol problems isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. The NIH has launched a navigator site that can help figure out the scope of the problem and find evidence-based treatment options.

(Image credit: Kristen Uroda for NPR)

]]>Allison AubreyDrinking On The Rise In U.S., Especially For Women, Minorities, Older AdultsA new study in <em>JAMA Psychiatry</em> looks at rates of alcohol use from 2002 to 2013. Alcohol use in general went up, and problem drinking — binging, abuse and dependence — increased even more.Thu, 10 Aug 2017 20:39:00 -0400https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/08/10/542409957/drinking-on-the-rise-in-u-s-especially-for-women-minorities-older-adults?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=drinking
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/08/10/542409957/drinking-on-the-rise-in-u-s-especially-for-women-minorities-older-adults?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=drinking

A new study in JAMA Psychiatry looks at rates of alcohol use from 2002 to 2013. Alcohol use in general went up, and problem drinking — binging, abuse and dependence — increased even more.

(Image credit: b-duss/Flickr)

]]>Camila DomonoskeAll Over The World, Thirsty Muslims Have Their Ramadan Go-To DrinksAfter a long day of fasting, especially in summer, thirst can be stronger than hunger. The drinks of choice are usually sweet and fruity, but each country puts its own spin on a refreshing beverage.Thu, 08 Jun 2017 11:22:00 -0400https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/06/08/530893651/all-over-the-world-thirsty-muslims-have-their-ramadan-go-to-drinks?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=drinking
https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/06/08/530893651/all-over-the-world-thirsty-muslims-have-their-ramadan-go-to-drinks?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=drinking

After a long day of fasting, especially in summer, thirst can be stronger than hunger. The drinks of choice are usually sweet and fruity, but each country puts its own spin on a refreshing beverage.

(Image credit: Amy E. Robertson for NPR)

]]>Amy E. RobertsonLondon Borough Raises Pints — And Legal Protections — To U.K.'s Fading PubsThousands of British pubs have closed in recent years. One London borough is trying to protect its pubs by requiring government approval if owners want to sell them for a different use.Tue, 13 Sep 2016 05:12:00 -0400https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2016/09/13/493610710/london-borough-raises-pints-and-legal-protections-to-u-k-s-fading-pubs?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=drinking
https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2016/09/13/493610710/london-borough-raises-pints-and-legal-protections-to-u-k-s-fading-pubs?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=drinking

Thousands of British pubs have closed in recent years. One London borough is trying to protect its pubs by requiring government approval if owners want to sell them for a different use.

The change in policy, following a high-profile sexual assault, was swiftly criticized by those who believe it focuses on the wrong issue.

(Image credit: Chip Chipman/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

]]>Camila DomonoskeWomen Blast CDC's Advice To Use Birth Control If Drinking AlcoholThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is getting flamed for saying that sexually active women should be on birth control if they drink alcohol or should stop drinking before getting pregnant.Thu, 04 Feb 2016 16:20:00 -0500https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/02/04/465607147/women-blast-cdcs-advice-to-use-birth-control-if-drinking-alcohol?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=drinking
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/02/04/465607147/women-blast-cdcs-advice-to-use-birth-control-if-drinking-alcohol?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=drinking

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is getting flamed for saying that sexually active women should be on birth control if they drink alcohol or should stop drinking before getting pregnant.

(Image credit: John Fedele/Blend Images RM/Getty Images)

]]>Allison AubreyWant To Avoid A Hangover? Science Has Got You CoveredChampagne and other booze flow freely on New Year's Eve. But if you want to wake to a new year without the side effects of alcohol, don't fret: We've got science-based tips for avoiding that headache.Thu, 31 Dec 2015 11:17:00 -0500https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/12/31/461594898/want-to-avoid-a-hangover-science-has-got-you-covered?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=drinking
https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/12/31/461594898/want-to-avoid-a-hangover-science-has-got-you-covered?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=drinking

Champagne and other booze flow freely on New Year's Eve. But if you want to wake to a new year without the side effects of alcohol, don't fret: We've got science-based tips for avoiding that headache.

(Image credit: Chris Nickels for NPR)

]]>Allison AubreyFrom Tipsy To Regret: Your Tales From The Office Holiday Party Office soirees can be an opportunity for networking and workplace bonding. But drinking with the boss can also lead to embarrassment, injury and litigious outcomes, as the stories you shared bear out.Wed, 16 Dec 2015 04:54:00 -0500https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/12/16/459700591/from-tipsy-to-regret-your-tales-from-the-office-holiday-party?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=drinking
https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/12/16/459700591/from-tipsy-to-regret-your-tales-from-the-office-holiday-party?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=drinking

Office soirees can be an opportunity for networking and workplace bonding. But drinking with the boss can also lead to embarrassment, injury and litigious outcomes, as the stories you shared bear out.

(Image credit: iStockphoto)

]]>Allison AubreyBoozing At The Office Holiday Party? Use Our Tips, Take Our SurveySipping on rum punch at the office party may be festive, but too much alcohol can lead to behavior that might embarrass you later. Read our tips on staying in control <strong>and take our survey.</strong>Fri, 11 Dec 2015 13:21:00 -0500https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/12/11/459234455/boozing-at-the-office-holiday-party-use-our-tips-take-our-survey?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=drinking
https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/12/11/459234455/boozing-at-the-office-holiday-party-use-our-tips-take-our-survey?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=drinking

Sipping on rum punch at the office party may be festive, but too much alcohol can lead to behavior that might embarrass you later. Read our tips on staying in control and take our survey.

(Image credit: iStockphoto)

]]>Allison AubreyWhy Do People Get So Bent Out Of Shape About Drinking While Pregnant? A lot of people think doctors are being way too absolutist about moderate drinking in pregnancy. But the doctors say since there's no way to know what's safe, it's not worth the risk.Mon, 26 Oct 2015 04:47:00 -0400https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/10/26/450598553/why-do-people-get-so-bent-out-of-shape-about-drinking-while-pregnant?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=drinking
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/10/26/450598553/why-do-people-get-so-bent-out-of-shape-about-drinking-while-pregnant?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=drinking

A lot of people think doctors are being way too absolutist about moderate drinking in pregnancy. But the doctors say since there's no way to know what's safe, it's not worth the risk.

(Image credit: iStockphoto)

]]>Nancy ShutePediatricians Say Absolutely No Drinking While Pregnant Ten percent of pregnant women say they drink, even though doctors have spent decades saying that birth defects and developmental delays from alcohol can be prevented completely by abstaining.Mon, 19 Oct 2015 13:51:00 -0400https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/10/19/449931313/pediatricians-say-absolutely-no-drinking-while-pregnant?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=drinking
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/10/19/449931313/pediatricians-say-absolutely-no-drinking-while-pregnant?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=drinking

Ten percent of pregnant women say they drink, even though doctors have spent decades saying that birth defects and developmental delays from alcohol can be prevented completely by abstaining.

(Image credit: Rachel Weill/Uppercut/Getty Images)

]]>Nancy ShuteDrinking Makes Teens' First Sexual Experience Riskier, Less SatisfyingWhen drinking is part of the picture, young women are more apt to say their first sexual experience was coerced, and that it wasn't planned with a romantic partner in an ongoing relationship.Fri, 16 Oct 2015 15:20:00 -0400https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/10/16/449160875/drinking-makes-a-girls-first-sexual-encounter-riskier-less-satisfying?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=drinking
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/10/16/449160875/drinking-makes-a-girls-first-sexual-encounter-riskier-less-satisfying?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=drinking

When drinking is part of the picture, young women are more apt to say their first sexual experience was coerced, and that it wasn't planned with a romantic partner in an ongoing relationship.

(Image credit: iStockphoto)

]]>Nancy ShuteDrinking With 'Mad Men': Cocktail Culture And The Myth Of Don DraperThe culture of retro cocktails that the show helped reignite is intriguing, considering how much of <em>Mad Men</em> is actually about excessive — even abusive — drinking.Sun, 05 Apr 2015 07:03:00 -0400https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/04/05/397352082/drinking-with-mad-men-cocktail-culture-and-the-myth-of-don-draper?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=drinking
https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/04/05/397352082/drinking-with-mad-men-cocktail-culture-and-the-myth-of-don-draper?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=drinking

The culture of retro cocktails that the show helped reignite is intriguing, considering how much of Mad Men is actually about excessive — even abusive — drinking.

(Image credit: AMC)

]]>Carly SevernYour Drinking Habits May Be Influenced By How Much You MakeGenetic differences explain more of the wide variation in drinking habits among people with low incomes, while higher-income people tended to drink alike.Tue, 17 Mar 2015 17:13:00 -0400https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/03/17/393554628/income-affects-how-genes-play-a-role-in-drinking-problems?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=drinking
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/03/17/393554628/income-affects-how-genes-play-a-role-in-drinking-problems?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=drinking

Genetic differences explain more of the wide variation in drinking habits among people with low incomes, while higher-income people tended to drink alike.

(Image credit: Cultura/Liam Norris/Getty Images)

]]>Nancy ShuteHammered And Heedless: Do Dangerous Drinking Videos Harm Teens?Being falling-down drunk is often played for laughs on YouTube videos, but those videos don't show the downside of getting trashed. That can't be good for teenagers and young adults, researchers say.Sat, 21 Feb 2015 07:03:00 -0500https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/02/21/387785608/hammered-and-heedless-do-dangerous-drinking-videos-harm-teens?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=drinking
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/02/21/387785608/hammered-and-heedless-do-dangerous-drinking-videos-harm-teens?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=drinking

Being falling-down drunk is often played for laughs on YouTube videos, but those videos don't show the downside of getting trashed. That can't be good for teenagers and young adults, researchers say.